Since i started drinking filtered water i noticed how the unfiltered tap water taste like garbage. It's like a mix of garbage, toothpaste, chlorine, copper, oil and clr.
Good water is like good wine or good beer once you go there you know the difference with bad quality

Bikes: The same GT Outpost Mountain bike I've been riding since 1996, although I modify it throughout the year for commuting, touring, and recreational riding.

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After getting about a third of the way through this thread, I was convinced to switch from plastic bottles to stainless steel, so I went right out and plunked down $68 for three Kleen Kanteen "Classic" bottles, cringing all the way to the cash register and beyond.

When I got home and read the notes inside the bottle, I was surprised to see the warning about putting them in the freezer. This is a deal-breaker for me, as, for almost 25 years, I've been filling my plastic bottles halfway and freezing them, then filling the rest with fresh water before I head out on a ride.

I thought maybe Kleen Kanteen was being overly cautious, but then I started reading thread after thread about stainless bottles exploding after being frozen. Tomorrow they are going back to Target. So now that I will be returning to plastic bottles, I guess I need to read the rest of the posts in this thread to keep the smell out of 'em.

I never found a plastic bottle that didn't impart at least some plastic taste. I love my Kleen Kanteen bottles. Thanks for the warning about freezing. I might have made that mistake. I'll just put ice cubes in before I set out. I haven't used a plastic bottle in a year or two. These bottles have been a good investment for me.

Bikes: The same GT Outpost Mountain bike I've been riding since 1996, although I modify it throughout the year for commuting, touring, and recreational riding.

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I ended up going with Polar Insulated bottles that were half the price of the Kleen Kanteens and are both dishwasher and freezer safe. The manufacturer suggests washing them with vinegar and baking soda to get the odor out. I did that and they still stink like heck, so I put them in the dishwasher. I am taking the first of my summer overnight rides this weekend, so I hope the smell goes away with one washing!

Update After Ride: Unfortunately, my first sip of water from my new Polar Ice bottle (and every sip after that) tasted like pure dishwasher soap. Somehow, even after a lot of rinsing, the bottle held not just the flavor, but the bubbles! I ended up buying bottled water every hour or so and packing it in my pannier.

When I got home, I immediately called Polar Ice and they offered to exchange the three bottles that I had bought. I told them that I like the bottles and would like to try something else - anything else - that might get the taste and odor out of them. They suggested an Efferdent bath. I felt like I had already done that with baking soda, but I decided to give it a try. On first testing, it seems to have worked, but the real test will be my next ride.

I never found a plastic bottle that didn't impart at least some plastic taste. I love my Kleen Kanteen bottles. Thanks for the warning about freezing. I might have made that mistake. I'll just put ice cubes in before I set out. I haven't used a plastic bottle in a year or two. These bottles have been a good investment for me.

Purportedly you can pop the dents out of your motorcycle exhaust by leaving it full of water in the freezer. This is apocryphal, SFAIK. But if the ice crystal has nowhere to grow as the water continues to freeze... like if it freezes in the neck while there’s still water below...

Bikes: The same GT Outpost Mountain bike I've been riding since 1996, although I modify it throughout the year for commuting, touring, and recreational riding.

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My new Polar Ice bottles were so stinky on their first ride (even after a thorough cleaning with lemon AND in the dishwasher) that I left them in their cages and drank bottled water for 50 miles. When I got back home, I called the company and they immediately offered to replace them, but suggested that I first try cleaning them with denture-cleaning tablets. This seems to have worked. I haven't yet taken a long enough ride for the sun to really heat the bottles up and let the bad taste rock-out, but I haven't had an unpleasant taste on any of my commutes so far. Stay tuned...

My new Polar Ice bottles were so stinky on their first ride (even after a thorough cleaning with lemon AND in the dishwasher) that I left them in their cages and drank bottled water for 50 miles. When I got back home, I called the company and they immediately offered to replace them, but suggested that I first try cleaning them with denture-cleaning tablets. This seems to have worked. I haven't yet taken a long enough ride for the sun to really heat the bottles up and let the bad taste rock-out, but I haven't had an unpleasant taste on any of my commutes so far. Stay tuned...

Denture cleaning tablets! Why'd I never think of that? That's a winner for sure!
I'm surprised to hear about the issue with freezing metal bottles. I guess since it won't freeze evenly there's that risk, just never thought about it. I might now just put ice in the bottle, then put it back in the freezer... still annoying...

My old bottles tasted nasty after just a few hours. Camelbak bottles, even the plain, uninsulated ones, have zero plastic taste even after the water sits for a couple of days. And the valve works great. I've had the same ones for 6 or 7 years now.

The worst thing is those 5 gallon "igloo" style water dispenser jugs at event ride rest stops. If they filled and cooled them overnight, it's a very strong plastic taste. Yuck.

Bikes: The same GT Outpost Mountain bike I've been riding since 1996, although I modify it throughout the year for commuting, touring, and recreational riding.

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[QUOTE=DanBraden;20462835]Denture cleaning tablets! Why'd I never think of that? That's a winner for sure!/QUOTE]

I don't know if you're being sarcastic or not, but DKPhelps was the first in this thread to suggest "Efferdent" (denture cleaner) a while back. I am aware that it wasn't my original idea. If you are NOT being sarcastic, give it a try. I think it may have worked for me, but it has rained just about every day since I cleaned my bottles this way, so I haven't really had a chance to test them.

Denture cleaning tablets! Why'd I never think of that? That's a winner for sure!/QUOTE]

I don't know if you're being sarcastic or not, but DKPhelps was the first in this thread to suggest "Efferdent" (denture cleaner) a while back. I am aware that it wasn't my original idea. If you are NOT being sarcastic, give it a try. I think it may have worked for me, but it has rained just about every day since I cleaned my bottles this way, so I haven't really had a chance to test them.

Oops, these forums can really do a number on you...

I was being sincere. I just overlooked that previous comment . Whoever says it, it still seems like a good idea!

Efferdent (or store brand equivalent) is cheap, kills bacteria,odor, and removes stains. Dissolve tablet into very warm water filled to the brim, and place cap with nozzle upside down on top. After at least 15 minutes, fasten on the cap, shake and squirt through nozzle until empty. Rinse thoroughly. Works for me.

It was brought to my attention that I mis-attributed you're awesome idea to someone else... This is me at my most contrite... What a great idea this is, THANKS!